That memorable battle, of which the results were incalculable, has been described in various ways.  Bonaparte had an account of it commenced no less than three times; and I must confess that none of the narratives are more correct than that contained in the ‘Memoirs of the Duke of Rovigo’.  The Emperor Napoleon became dissatisfied with what had been said by the First Consul Bonaparte.  For my part, not having had the honour to bear a sword, I cannot say that I saw any particular movement executed this or that way; but I may mention here what I heard on the evening of the battle of Marengo respecting the probable chances of that event.  As to the part which the First Consul took in it, the reader, perhaps, is sufficiently acquainted with his character to account for it.  He did not choose that a result so decisive should be attributed to any other cause than the combinations of his genius, and if I had not known his insatiable thirst for glory I should have been surprised at the sort of half satisfaction evinced at the cause of the success amidst the joy manifested for the success itself.  It must be confessed that in this he was very unlike Jourdan, Hoche, Kleber, and Moreau, who were ever ready to acknowledge the services of those who had fought under their orders.

Within two hours of the time when the divisions commanded by Desaix left San Giuliano I was joyfully surprised by the triumphant return of the army, whose fate, since the morning, had caused me so much anxiety.  Never did fortune within so short a time show herself under two such various faces.  At two o’clock all denoted the desolation of a defeat, with all its fatal consequences; at five victory was again faithful to the flag of Arcola.  Italy was reconquered by a single blow, and the crown of France appeared in the perspective.

At seven in the evening, when I returned with the First Consul to headquarters, he expressed to me his sincere regret for the loss of Desaix, and then he added, “Little Kellerman made a lucky charge.  He did it at just the right moment.  We are much indebted to him.  You see what trifling circumstances decide these affairs.”

These few words show that Bonaparte sufficiently appreciated the services of Kellerman.  However, when that officer approached the table at which were seated the First Consul and a number of his generals, Bonaparte merely said, “You made a pretty good charge.”  By way of counter-balancing this cool compliment he turned towards Bessieres, who commanded the horse grenadiers of the Guard, and said, “Bessieres, the Guard has covered itself with glory.”  Yet the fact is, that the Guard took no part in the charge of Kellerman, who could assemble only 500 heavy cavalry; and with this handful of brave men he cut in two the Austrian column, which had overwhelmed Desaix’s division, and had made 6000 prisoners.  The Guard did not charge at Marengo until nightfall.